Patent · US Active

Method and assembly for absorbing energy from loads being applied during an overload event in order to prevent damage

US9951840B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
8References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 2015
Grant dateApr 24, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16F13/007
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and an assembly for absorbing energy during an overload event. An energy absorber reduces loads on an object being transported on a loading unit during a single overload event, which introduces such a high degree of energy that there is an overwhelming likelihood the object would be damaged without an energy absorber. Measurement values on the current state of the loading unit are sensed. A control device determines an overload event and a damping of the energy absorber is set to a high value after the detection of the overload event. The damping is maintained for a specified prolonged time period and controlled dependent on the measurement values during the overload event to increase the load for objects during the specified time period initially to a specified threshold load and after the specified time dependent on the measurement values detected during the overload event.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.